Life Altruism is complete selflessness. Altruism is an attorney fighting for the life of a man on death row, free of charge.

He can do nothing to pay off his debt. Altruism is doing for others what they cannot do for themselves, expecting absolutely nothing in return. The motive behind these gallant acts of giving is merely an expected good feeling that a person in need benefited from the kindness. There is no financial gain such as money or valuable gifts. There is no medal of honor received upon completion. Altruism is taking the time to help the little old lady (a stranger) across the street, all the while being late for an appointment and the car has run out of gas. She smiles, expressing gratitude, and that is payment enough. Most times, there is neither a soul watching or pats on the back, nor is there a desire for an audience. Altruism is doing the right thing for the right reason, even when no one is watching. There is a warm, fuzzy feeling within the heart. It is thinking more of helping others (and doing it), than thinking of oneself. Altruism is climbing a tree (despite a fear of heights) to save a scared cat for the little boy waiting below. He will sleep well tonight rather than worry about his four-legged friend. Altruism is volunteering at the Salvation Army, or answering the phones for the Alcoholics Anonymous Hotline on Thanksgiving Day instead of spending the day with family. Altruism is not selfish, self-seeking, egotistical, self-absorbed, self-centered, self-regarding, or does it expect something for something. Altruism is not a trade, a bargain, blackmail or violence. It is not a job, a chore, or something that has to be done. Altruism is an attitude, a choice, done with a smile and goodness in the soul, without ulterior motives. Although it cannot be forced, with experience the desire can be learned if the willingness is present. Altruism is self-sacrifice for the benefit of another, going the extra mile to be kind to someone else without a thought to personal gain. Inner peace and serenity is the reward.

Pamekasan student wins math contest in Romania

Alyssa Diva Mustika, a student from Pamekasan Junior High School, East Java, won the gold medal at the International Mathematics Contest held in Romania between March 22 to 29, Antara news agency reported.

Speaking to journalists, Diva said she was glad that she had been able to win the competition, which she said had been very tight. Thank God I won. I will study harder, she said.

Indonesia sent 10 students to the competition in Romania. Diva is not the first Pamekasan student to win an international science competition. Oktavian Latief, a student from SMA Negeri 1 Pamekasan won gold at the International Physics Olympiad in 2006. Another student, Shohibul Maromi, won the same award in 2010.

I thank Diva for giving a good name to Indonesia and Pamekasan on the international stage, Pamekasan Regent Kholilurrahman said as quoted by Antara.

Peddling On My Own

Learning how to ride a bike for the first time was a nerve racking independent moment. I was about five years old when my sister informed me that I was too old to still be riding a bike with training wheels. That was the time I decided not to depend on them anymore. Even though I had some doubt, my sister and I went outside and started to take the little wheels off my bike. After my bike went through the transformation, I was now ready for the big moment. With butterflies in my stomach, I slowly got on the bike, and with my shaky hands, I gripped the handles tightly. Meanwhile my sister was holding on to me to help keep my balance. I was so afraid the she would let go, yet I was determined to ride this bike on my own. Next with a little push from her, I started to peddle. The faster my bike went the faster my heart raced. Finally I looked back nervously and noticed that my sister let go of my bike a long time ago. I was so excited that I accomplished freedom on my bike that I forgot to peddle. The next step I remember, I was lying on the ground, yet I did not care because of the adrenaline rush. I will never forget the exhilarating moment and growing up stage of riding a bike without training wheels.

My First Time In The Emergency Room I went to the Emergency Room for the first time when I was thirteen years old. It all came about when I was skateboarding in front of my grandma's house and I tried to do a trick. I almost pulled it of, but I messed it up in the end and headed to the ground with my hands down. My right wrist was twisted the wrong way in the air when I landed hard on the ground, it just broke it. At first it did not hurt at all, but when I looked down at my warped and twisted wrist , all of a sudden excruciating pain rushed through my wrist and I came unglued. Rolling around on the ground yelling and cussing in pain, my parents saw what happened and came running to my aid. My dad started moving it around saying, "it's not broken," as my mom was saying over and over again we need to go to the emergency room to get the real diiagnosis. After about fifteen minutes of yelling and screaming, I finally got up and held my wrist as I walked to the car. The whole way to the ER the pain got worse and worse. Later I foound out the increase in pain was due to massive swelling against the broken bone. I had to sit in the waiting room for almost and hour which seemed loke forever. After waiting impatiently, I finally got into the doctor's office where I got an X-Ray and found out my wrist was truley broken.

Ming-Ming

Ming-Ming is my beautiful gray Persian cat. He walks with pride and grace, performing a dance of disdain as he slowly lifts and lowers each paw with the delicacy of a ballet dancer. His pride, however, does not extend to his appearance, for he spends most of his time indoors watching television and growing fat. He enjoys TV commercials, especially those for Tom and Jerry. His familiarity with cat food commercials has led him to reject generic brands of cat food in favor of only the most expensive brands. Ming-Ming is as finicky about visitors as he is about what he eats, befriending some and repelling others. He may snuggle up against your ankle, begging to be petted, or he may imitate a skunk and stain your favorite trousers. Ming-Ming does not do this to establish his territory, as many cat experts think, but to humiliate me because he is jealous of my friends. After my guests have fled, I look at the old fleabag snoozing and smiling to himself in front of the television set, and I have to forgive him for his obnoxious, but endearing, habits.

Dream Before, I had to look out my bedroom window into another persons bedroom window. It may not a view to inspire anyone. But now, I see a row of tall green trees swaying gently in the soft breeze. There are climbing vines on it. It is a serene and beautiful sight that I do not mind staring out my bedroom window at all. Sometimes, I see someone cooking their food from their kitchen. I can also see the bluish sky with big powder puff clouds skimming along on it. I love seeing those clouds every morning and breathing fresh air that makes my mood calm have serenity in life